Tonight I got to shoot my Canik Stingray 9mm for the first time since acquiring it. Canik pistols are made in Turkey and are based on the CZ 75 platform. I read somewhere online that all firearm manufacturers located in Turkey must build all of their firearms to military standards. Turkey being a NATO country, the pistol meets NATO standards too. The company has an extensive pistol line, and I really liked the looks and ergonomics of the Stingray model. I bought the pistol for $400 on budsgunshop.com.

The Canik Stingray is based on the CZ P01. The slide length is similar to a P01 (4" barrel), but has a full size grip similar to a SP01. The model I chose came with two 17-round Mec Gar magazines, however I can only fit 15 rounds in my pistol thus far due to the VERY stiff springs. The fit and finish are outstanding! There are no tooling marks on the outside and inside of the pistol. Unlike most semi-automatic pistols where the slide fits over top of the frame's rails, the slide on the Stingray (like all CZ 75 pistols) fits inside the frame, hence giving it a very tight, smooth fit and action. The double action trigger is very consistent. I'm not a big fan of shooting in double action mode, but it's not too bad. The single action trigger is pretty decent, but after my range trip tonight, it did smooth up a considerable amount. The sights are a standard 3-dot system, but the color of the sights are an off-white color. I plan on switching out the sights for a red fiber optic front and a rear all black competition/tactical sights. The grip panels on the Stingray are an all black plastic and suck. All grip panels that fit on the CZ 75 will fit on the Stingray. I switched out the grips with a Hogue all rubber wrap around style grip with finger grooves. The pistol now fits in my hand like a glove. The pistol comes with an ambidextrous safety and slide lever, but the magazine release is only right handed people friendly. There's an ugly loaded chamber indicator on the top of the slide, but it doesn't bother me.

I went to the range tonight and decided I could spare 100 rounds from my 9mm stock. The Canik Stingray ate all 100 rounds without any issues. The all metal frame and Hogue rubber grips helped absorb most of the recoil and it was very pleasurable to shoot. At 10 yards, I had all my shots in a half dollar group. At 15 yards, I kept all of my shots in a group a little smaller than an adult male fist. The pistol is far more accurate than I am. The more rounds I put through my pistol, the more the single action trigger began to smooth out and feel a little lighter. I imagine it still needs a little more time to break in since I only shot 100 rounds through it.

I plan on using the pistol as my primary concealed carry pistol. I picked up some 115 grain +p+ Speer Gold Dots for carry use and a White Hat Holsters BaseMax IWB (horsehide) holster. White Hat Holsters does not make holsters specifically for the CZ P01, but the CZ SP01 Phantom option will fit the Canik Stingray just fine. I'm not a very big fan of IWB carry, but the White Hat Holster wasn't too bad. I imagine once I break in the leather, it will become a very comfortable and concealable carry option.

In short, if you want an affordable, but reliable SA/DA 9mm pistol then the Canik Stingray is an excellent option. I give the pistol 4 out of 5 stars for a $400 pistol. The sights and especially the grips could be a little better, and I think it will take awhile to be able to load all 17 rounds into the Mec Gar magazines. I've had the magazines hold 15 rounds in them for over a week now, and I still can't get round #16 into them.

UPDATE (5/20/2013): The pistol now has a little over 200 rounds through it and functions flawlessly. I'm probably going to replace the sights with a red fiber optic front sight and rear all black sight. Also the mags actually hold 15 rounds and not 17 rounds as advertised. No big deal.

NRA Life Member, NRA Certified Instructor: HFS, Pistol, Rifle, PPIH,PPOH
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It has a FPB. I wouldn't worry if you release the trigger before lowering the hammer. Also, lower it to half cock(helps with the DA pull too). That should alleviate any worry. Finally, practice it at the range. It won't take much to get comfy with it.

I hold my weak hand over top of the slide to steady the gun while using the controls with my strong hand. Get a good grip on the hammer with your thumb straight on it. Not perpendicular. Hold back all the way. Squeeze trigger to disengage. Release trigger. Lower hammer.

Agreed. I put my thumb between the hammer and firing pin and slowly lower it to half cocked and carry it with the hammer there. I'm too afraid to try to to drop the hammer with a round in the chamber.

I had a CZ97. I'll admit decocking with your thumb on the hammer is a bit unnerving. However, I have done it on my S&W 686 revolver many times without much thought into it, other than being very careful. I think the difference on a semi-auto pistol (aside from a negligent / accidental discharge), is the fact that your thumb is right behind the slide which is going to slam back with a heck of a force if a round does go off. After practicing it very carefully and slowly at the range many times I got comfortable with it.

The half cock is a good compromise though and does have advantages. Cool pistol! I haven't seen one of these Turkey clones around yet.

LostCyborg, proud to be a member of pa2a.org since Jun 2013.

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